Phillies Hot Stove Recap, Dec. 10: Happ, Keuchel, Realmuto

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

A lot happened on the first official day of the annual Winter Meetings in Las Vegas, Nevada. While the Philadelphia Phillies did not make a move, they were in plenty of headlines on Monday regarding rumors and general news.

In case you missed any of the action, we have compiled a comprehensive overview of Monday's "hot stove" action involving the Phillies:

• Chris Creamer posted a side-by-side comparison of the differences in blue used between the Phillies' 2018 primary logo, with their recently revealed 2019 primary logo.
• ESPN announced that its Sunday Night Baseball games in 2019 will now start at 7 p.m. The Phillies and Atlanta Braves will be the first to appear on March 31.
• The Athletic's Jayson Stark reported that the Phillies are having trouble finding a trade partner for Cesar Hernandez, given there are "so many" second basemen on the market.
• Fancred's Jon Heyman said on MLB Network that he thinks the Phillies and New York Mets are "real possibilities" to acquire All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto from the Miami Marlins.

• Philly.com's Scott Lauber reported he has heard it has been a "couple weeks" since the Phillies "checked in with Marlins" on Realmuto. "[This] is not to say they are necessarily disinterested," Lauber tweeted, "but rather that they’ve been busy on other fronts. We do know that they remain high on Jorge Alfaro."
• Heyman tweeted Monday evening that there are seven teams "with the best chance to land Realmuto" — Dodgers, Mets, Padres, Astros, Phillies, Yankees and Braves. "A couple notably deny being too involved but they are all apparently involved enough to be in the top 7," Heyman added.
• The Phillies, Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds are "three prime teams" on Keuchel, per Heyman.

• Former Phillies farm director/director of player development Joe Jordan will join the Braves' scouting department. Three notable former Phillies have now joined the Braves this offseason, notes NBC Sports Philadelphia's Jim Salisbury, with Doug Mansolino (minor-league field coordinator) and Rick Kranitz (pitching coach) being the others. Former Phillies utility players Andres Blanco and Pedro Florimon also recently inked minor league pacts with the Braves.
• Phillies manager Gabe Kapler addressed the media, live at the Winter Meetings.

• Salisbury reported that the Phillies, at the moment, "seem to be more on" Machado than Harper.
• The Phillies made a run at 2018 World Series champion Nathan Eovaldi as a closer, before he re-signed with the Boston Red Sox, according to Stark. Eovaldi said he wants to remain a starter, despite his World Series success as a reliever.
• Stark reported that the Phillies have had "ongoing dialogue" with southpaw free agent J.A. Happ over the last "several days." "The Phillies have a long shopping list, but Happ appears to be their best fit, as a LH with experience in Philadelphia who won't require a long deal. Still seeking 3 years," Stark tweeted.
• Phillies scout Sal Agostinelli, the Phillies' "long-time international point man," was named as one of three Scouts of the Year.

• Former New York Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long, now with the Washington Nationals, said the "Phillies are the team for Bryce Harper" during a radio spot. Just minutes prior, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said the club has "no spot" for Harper on its roster.

• The Phillies will meet with Bryce Harper and Manny Machado's representatives this week. Owner John Middleton "will not be part of the group." [Matt Gelb/The Athletic]
• Report: Phillies' Hernandez Played 63 Games With Broken Foot, ‘Not Inclined’ to Be Traded
• Salisbury writes:
  

  "The Phillies would like to sign Machado and play him at third base, according to sources. They seem lukewarm on Harper but haven’t completely ruled him out. … The Phils would like to add a lefty to their rotation and J.A. Happ is very much in their sights. The Phils seem committed to upgrading in the outfield and there are indications that they could get a deal done with leftfielder Michael Brantley."

You thought that was a lot? Three more days remain of the Winter Meetings, and the Phillies will surely be involved in most of the rumors during that span.